Ananova:

Nick Clegg issued a stark warning that the Liberal Democrats were flirting with disaster as he kicked off his bid for the leadership.

The home affairs spokesman - hot favourite to succeed Sir Menzies Campbell - said the party risked "falling back for good" unless it stepped out of its "comfort zone" to pull in supporters.

"The stakes are high," he told supporters in his Sheffield Hallam constituency. "If we're honest, over the last two years or so the Liberal Democrats have been looking inwards too much.

"We cannot test the patience of the British people any longer. We must now make a long term commitment to British Liberalism."

With most other potential contenders having ruled themselves out, the battle for the party's top job is now almost certain to be a two-horse race between Mr Clegg and environment spokesman Chris Huhne.

Both men come from the modernising group on the right wing, and share very similar agendas, meaning that the poll of more than 55,000 Lib Dem members across Britain is likely to focus on personality rather than policy.

Whoever wins will face a formidable challenge to re-energise a party which has been languishing at just 11% in the polls - compared with the 23% it scored at the last General Election.

In a polished performance, Mr Clegg insisted he was "proud" of the progress the Lib Dems had made under Sir Menzies, but called for the party to take "greater risks than it had ever done before".

"If the Liberal Democrats are to change the tired old pattern of British politics, we are going to have to be bolder," he said. "We are going to have to move out of our comfort zone."

Mr Huhne, 53, the MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, launched his campaign on Wednesday with a promise to create a "fairer and greener society". He enjoys the backing of Lib Dem frontbenchers Lynne Featherstone, Susan Kramer, Tom Brake and Sandra Gidley.